Live Report: Patti Smith-St. Andrews Hall, Detroit

She is an artist, icon and legend. My first live experience with Patti Smith last night lived up to my expectations of an aging punk poet. She was dressed simply in skinny jeans, over sized T-shirt and black blazer. She had a full band which included her son Jackson. Patti seemed happy, smiling at the crowd and chatting casually with the people in the front. She started with songs like her classic Redondo Beach. Highlights of the show were her performance of Free Money, Pissing in a River and the great Gloria. By the third song it was clear Patti was annoyed by the press Photographers when she told them "to take a powder or something", waving her hand, wishing them away. The crowd laughed, happy that Patti was still down to earth as well as still having an edge.

She referenced Detroit, many, many times. In the first half of the show she proclaimed, "we are here for YOU!" The crowd had no doubt she meant it. Through out the night she spoke about Detroit, mentioning such landmarks as The Book Cadillac Hotel, Arcade Bar, St Clair Shores, and Lafayette Coney Island. At one point she stated, "Its not good, it may not get better, but all you need is a roof over your head, food in your mouth and imagination!" We were told to "take back your city!" The show was definitely felt like a homecoming for Smith who lived in the area for over a decade with her family.

In the middle of the performance she gave a energetic tribute to the great poet, writer, musician and her friend, Jim Carroll. Lenny Kaye, Patti and the band did a cover of Jim's biggest musical hit, People Who Died.

Near the end of the show she told the story of how she wrote Because The Night, her only chart hit. She told the story of 1977, being in New York, waiting for a phone call from her soon to be husband Fred Sonic Smith. He was hours late calling her, she grew lonely and wrote the song. That's the short version. She closed night with People Have The Power. She tried to inspire people for a revolution, but I'm sure to her disappointment, everyone was not as enthusiastic about a uprising as they had been in the 1970's.

Her encore started with a cover of Smoky Robinson(it was apparently his birthday) and ended with her most controversial song, Rock and Roll N*****. I wondered if she would do this song and I'm glad that she did, I think it saved her punk cred. Overall, the show had a somber tone, with mostly mid tempo or slow songs, but it was nice for the show to end with the energy and outspokenness that made her the poet and songstress she is today.

This is not from last night, but it is a good example of what I experienced. Check out this youtube video: